“I will do so most assuredly; but it will be best not to use it but at the last extremity. I have no wish to be made a bugbear to my family.”
“As to the selection of an ambassador,” I interrupted, “I beg it may not fall on M. de Roquelaure; he has been working against me for some time.”
“Why not send M. de Jarente?” inquired the king.
“Ah, sire,” replied the duke, “because we cannot trust him; he is a gay fellow. Madame Sophie might tell him, that he only took the part of madame du Barry, because he passes his life amongst petticoats.”
“True enough,” said the king, “I prefer the duc de la Vauguyon: he has a good reputation—”
“And well deserved,” said the old maréchal, sneering. “Yes, sire, he is a pious man; at least, he plays his part well.”
“Peace, viper; you spare nobody.”
“Sire, I am only taking my revenge.”
“Why do you not like the governor of my grandsons?”
“In truth, sire, I must confess to you, that except yourself and the ladies, I have not many likings at Versailles.”